In-Band Trick Mode Control

ABSTRACT

A server may receive metadata associated with specific content in a transport signal stream from a content information service. The metadata may identify a point in time of the transport signal stream. The server may instruct an encoder to insert a marker into the transport signal stream corresponding to the point in time of the transport signal stream. The marker may indicate control of a trick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform subsequent to the point in time of the transport signal stream. The server may record the marker in a data store associated with the server.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/825,691 filed Aug. 13, 2015, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to service provider videonetworks, and more particularly, to a method and system for permittingstreaming television service providers to enable or disable trick modesin multiple delivery platforms.

BACKGROUND

In the television industry, the term “trick modes” refers to a set ofdelivery platform capabilities that mimics the capabilities of older,more traditional appliances for watching videos, such as video cassetterecorders (i.e., VCRs). The most common trick modes found in deliveryplatforms include pausing a video during playback, stopping a video thatis playing, “fast-forwarding” a video to a later point in time, and“rewinding” a video to an earlier point in time. There may be othertypes of “trick mode” capabilities in a player, such as “skipping ahead”to a later point in time in a video.

There are times when a content programmer or a content provider may wishto block a viewer from using one or more trick modes on his or herdelivery platform. For example, in the past, a viewer may employ a VCRto record an episode of the show “30 Rock” to tape and then to watch itlater. When the viewer views the taped episode, the viewer mayfast-forward through all of the commercials to view the episode in theshortest time possible without watching the commercial content that theindividual did not consider entertaining. This was acceptable under thetraditional streaming model (though not entirely, as content providersoriginally attempted to outlaw VCRs) mainly because no one could reallydo anything to determine when it was happening, nor could anyone doanything to stop it from happening.

However, the ongoing shift in behavior from users consuming content vialive streaming on television to consuming time-shifted or on-demandcontent has given rise to delivery platform technology that can: (a)provide more transparency into how watchers are consuming video content,and (b) give providers the ability to exert some control over how theypermit their content to be consumed.

In a nutshell, providers want to be able to stop viewers fromfast-forwarding or skipping through advertisements while stillpermitting them to use these and other trick mode controls during theentertainment content. This requires the ability to disable some or alltrick modes during some segments of content and to enable some or alltrick modes during other segments of content.

SUMMARY

The above-described problems are addressed and a technical solution isachieved in the art by providing a method and system for embeddingand/or associating trick mode-related instructions directly in orindirectly with ad creative content streams. A server may be configuredto receive metadata associated with specific content in a transportsignal stream from the content information service. The server mayinstruct the encoder to insert a marker into a transport signal streamprovided by a content information service (CIS) based on the receivedmetadata (e.g., the type of trick mode, the trick mode state (e.g.,enabled or disabled), the trick mode duration, the transport signalstream frame rate and resolution, etc.). The marker may indicate controlof a trick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform subsequent to aspecified point in time of the transport signal stream (e.g., adcreative content, entertainment content, or both ad creative content andentertainment content, both provided by a placement opportunityinformation service (POIS)).

The specific content may be ad creative content, entertainment content,or both ad creative content and entertainment content.

In one example, the indication may comprise the marker. The marker maycomprise an ID3 tag. The ID3 tag may comprise a unique identifierindicative of the identified point in time of the content and the one ormore trick mode settings. The unique identifier may be a universalunique identifier (UUID). In an example, the server may insert the ID3tag into a data track or a fundamental track of the transport signalstream.

In an example, the server may instruct the delivery platform to enforcethe one or more trick mode settings associated with the marker at thepoint in time of the transport signal stream. In another example, themarker may comprise instructions to enforce one or more trick modesettings in the delivery platform at the point in time of the transportsignal stream.

In an example, the server may receive from an advertisement decisionservice (ADS) or a placement opportunity information service (POIS)trick mode restriction metadata regarding one or more trick modesettings corresponding to the trick mode to be enforced by a deliveryplatform subsequent to the point in time of the transport signal streamfor the specific content. The one or more trick mode settings maycomprise information regarding at least one of enabling or disabling thetrick mode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets, contentduration, or the duration of time that the trick mode is to be enabledor disabled. In an example, the trick mode restriction metadata maycomprise a universally unique identifier (UUID) associated with themarker, and one or more uniform resource locators associated with themarker.

In an example, the server may associate the trick mode restrictionmetadata information with the marker. The server may be configured storethe associated trick mode restriction metadata information in the datastore.

In an example, the marker may be operable to instruct the deliveryplatform to send a request to the server for one or more instructions toenforce one or more trick mode settings associated with the marker.

In an example, the server may receive from the delivery platform arequest for one or more instructions to enforce one or more trick modesettings associated with the marker. The server may provide to thedelivery platform the one or more instructions to enforce the one ormore trick mode settings associated with the marker.

In an example, the server may receive from the delivery platform anindication that the delivery platform has encountered the marker at thepoint in time of the transport signal stream. The server may retrievefrom the data store the one or more trick mode settings associated withthe marker. The server may transmit to the delivery the one or moretrick mode settings associated with the marker.

In an example, the indication may comprise a universal resource locator(URL). In an example, the URL may comprise at least one of a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content,one or more trick mode control settings, or an endpoint location for thedelivery platform to make a network request in order to receive trickmode instructions.

The server may receive from the delivery platform an indication that thedelivery platform is enforcing the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.

The server may receive from the delivery platform an indication that aconsumer used an enabled trick mode or tried to use a disabled trickmode subsequent to the point in time of the transport signal stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detaileddescription of exemplary embodiments presented below considered inconjunction with the attached drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional linear or video-on-demand model foradvertisement placement.

FIG. 2 depicts a configuration of a system for permitting streamingtelevision service providers to enable or disable trick modes indelivery platforms.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the use of an ID3 tag as metadatato be incorporated into corresponding data tracks of a transport signalstream for providing markers for enabling or disabling trick modesettings in portions of an advertisement corresponding to each of thesegments in a session.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a method forpermitting streaming television service providers to enable or disabletrick modes in delivery platforms.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another example of a method forpermitting streaming television service providers to enable or disabletrick modes in delivery platforms.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine in theexemplary form of a computer system within which a set of instructions,for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, may be executed.

It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for purposes ofillustrating the concepts of the invention and may not be to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Traditionally, programming of broadcast and cable television and radio,including content (i.e., the video or audio program) and (the placementof) ads in a video or audio signal stream, has followed a linear model.Programming may be linear in the sense that a program begins and isstreamed and in progress when a user chooses to view entertainmentcontent. FIG. 1 illustrates a linear or video-on-demand (VOD) model foradvertisement placement. Entertainment content 2, when processed as adigital data stream over a cable network, may be divided into a numberof time intervals. The time intervals 4 include time reserved for aviewed program (content), such as “Golden Girls.” The intervals 6, 8, 9represent sections of time reserved for advertisements or “avails.”These “avails” may be viewed as advertisement placement opportunities.As used herein, a “placement opportunity” was traditional called anavail and is sometimes referred to as a slot (spots into slots). Aplacement opportunity (PO) is a construct that represents an opportunityto insert an advertisement or entertainment content, and defines therules for that opportunity, such as its duration, interactivity,ownership, and technical constraints.

As used herein, an estimated starting location of a break in a signalstream is referred to as a signal point. In the context of advertisementplacement, these signal points may be referred to as advertisementsignal points.

In non-linear systems, such as Video-on-Demand (VOD), the intervals 6,8, 9 may take on new meanings. The interval 6 is called a pre-roll,i.e., the space in a video that occurs immediately after a user clicksto start a VOD video. The interval 9 is known as a post-roll, i.e., thespace after all of the VOD video segments have finished playing. Theintervals 8 may be mid-rolls, i.e., mini-breaks in the middle of a VODvideo, or may be interstitials, i.e., pod-like locations betweenconsecutive VOD video segments. VOD advertisement placementopportunities may appear based on space, time, content, and user contextand may be highly non-linear (i.e., the user chooses to initiate theplaying of content and in response, the content starts). All of theintervals 6, 8, 9 in such play lists are ripe for the insertion ofadvertisements, i.e., advertisement placement opportunities.

Examples of the present disclosure are compatible with and make use ofelements defined according to the SCTE-130 standard. The SCTE-130standard provides a standardized and extensible message based interfacedefining a minimal set of cooperating logical services necessary tocommunicate placement opportunities, placement decisions, and placementrelated event data necessary for accountability measurements. SCTE-130defines an extensible framework of interfaces among a set of advertisingsystem logical services. The SCTE-130 standard encompasses: a minimalset of cooperative logical services needed to implement advancedaddressable advertising systems; the core data types and extensiblemessage framework forming a vocabulary needed to communicate among thedefined logical services; the interfaces among these logical servicesusing the core data types and messages; and, mechanisms forextensibility that allow innovation while preserving backwardcompatibility with already deployed systems—thereby reducing thecomplexity for incorporating new features within the standard.

The normative parts of the SCTE-130 standard define mechanisms forintegrating systems implementing features such as VOD-based advertising,linear-based advertising, enhanced advertising capabilities such asadvertisement rotation groups (rotation groups refer to placementopportunities that run in rotation so that the same advertisement is notviewed again immediately), subscriber-based addressing for advertisingor content tailoring, extension points for more advanced advertising oraddressing features, logical services that are implemented as one ormore physical systems created by the same vendor, deployment of alogical service that may simultaneously include systems from one or morevendors, and an implementation that may incorporate one or more of thedefined logical services and interfaces

The SCTE-130 standard defines a set of logical services comprising anadvanced advertising system. Each logical service may itself be acomplex system. In an embodiment, one or more of the following logicalservices may be used by or interact with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

An Advertisement Management Service (ADM) defines messages in support ofadvertisement insertion activities. The primary consumer of thesemessages is an Advertisement Decision Service (ADS). The messageinterfaces exposed by an ADM permit both pre-configured advertisementdecisions as well as real-time fulfillment models. An ADM implementationmay incorporate some simple advertisement selection rules (e.g.,advertisement rotations) but more complex advertisement decisions arethe responsibility of an ADS.

An Advertisement Decision Service (ADS) determines how advertisingcontent is combined with non-advertising (i.e., entertainment) contentassets. The decisions made by an ADS may be straightforward (i.e.,specific advertisement content placed at a specific time in a specificasset) or arbitrarily complex (based on subscriber data, advertisingzone, etc.).

A Content Information Service (CIS) manages metadata describing assets(both advertising assets and non-advertising assets) available to theother SCTE-130 logical services. The CIS provides query and notificationinterfaces to the other logical services. The query service is availableon an ad-hoc basis and may be called by any other logical service at anytime without any prior registration. Queries specify values or patternsto be sought in the query message metadata and the specified matchinginformation (or an error indication) is returned in a response message.

The Content Information Service (CIS) is a storage and distributionengine. It stores metadata about entertainment and advertising assets;provides notifications to registered clients when metadata is modified;registers, receives and processes notifications from other CIS services;and supports real-time metadata queries. The CIS permits an AdvertisingManager (ADM) and/or Advertisement Decision Service (ADS) to retrieveand utilize content metadata in their advanced advertising decisionprocessing.

A Placement Opportunity Information Service (POIS) may hold, maintain,and retain descriptions of placement opportunities. The POIS may alsocontain attributes and constraints for each placement opportunity,platform compliance, rights, and policies of the content in which theplacement opportunity exists. These placement opportunities are contentspecific, therefore attributes and constraints may vary by network,geographic region, or other content distribution dimension.

The POIS is a Placement Opportunity (PO) storage and inventory executionengine. It stores PO metadata and statistics; provides notifications toregistered clients when PO metadata is modified; registers, receives andprocesses notifications from other POIS services; and supports real-timePO metadata queries. Through the POIS appliance, an Advertising Manager(ADM) and/or Advertisement Decision Service (ADS) can retrieve andutilize placement opportunity metadata in their advanced advertisingdecision making.

The Subscriber Information Service (SIS) manages per-subscriberinformation relevant to advertisement placement decisions. The SISprovides a mapping between subscriber or client identifiers, such as aMAC address, serial number, etc., and subscriber or audience attributes,e.g., age, sex, location of a subscriber.

The term “computer” or “computer platform” is intended to include anydata processing device, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a mainframe computer, a server, a handheld device, adigital signal processor (DSP), an embedded processor (an example ofwhich is described in connection with FIG. 5), or any other device ableto process data. The computer/computer platform is configured to includeone or more microprocessors communicatively connected to one or morenon-transitory computer-readable media and one or more networks. Theterm “communicatively connected” is intended to include any type ofconnection, whether wired or wireless, in which data may becommunicated. The term “communicatively connected” is intended toinclude, but not limited to, a connection between devices and/orprograms within a single computer or between devices and/or separatecomputers over a network. The term “network” is intended to include, butnot limited to, OTA (over-the-air transmission, ATSC, DVB-T),packet-switched networks (TCP/IP, e.g., the Internet), satellite(microwave, MPEG transport stream or IP), direct broadcast satellite,analog cable transmission systems (RF), and digital video transmissionsystems (ATSC, HD-SDI, HDMI, DVI, VGA), etc.

FIG. 2 depicts a configuration of a system 200 for permitting streamingtelevision service providers to enable or disable trick modes in indelivery platforms. The system 200 may be executed on a server 202,interconnected by one or more networks (not shown) and communicativelyconnected to an origin server 204 which is configured to provide content(entertainment content and advertisement breaks) to one or more deliveryplatforms 206 a-206 n. On TV, the advertising network was formerly thenational network, the cable network, or the cable operator. However,unlike the Internet, where browsers access/display content and then areseparately “referred” to a shared advertisement network, theInternet-based cable television infrastructure selects and assemblesboth the advertisement and the content together and delivers thecombined result to customers' delivery platforms 206 a-206 n (e.g.,Internet ready televisions, radios, smartphones, tablets, PCs, etc.).

Recently, delivery platforms 206 a-206 n, such as Internet-readytelevisions, have become capable of receiving content from Internetstreaming services, such as Netflix movies, Pandora streaming radio,etc., over WiFi or direct Ethernet connections. When a user clicks on anicon for an “app” that appears on the television set corresponding toone of these services, the content is streamed to the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) from a content delivery network (CDN) 208 directly to theapplication running in the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) without theneed for a set top box.

A set top box may be configured to decode an analog representation oftwo states of a digital signal, as is known in the art, that iscontinuously streamed and pushed to the set top box through a broadcastfacility over a coaxial or fiber optic cable and the set top box tunesto that channel and displays the content. When a user watchesInternet-delivered program content, a browser within the deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a) fetching video in predetermined timechunks—generally two, sometimes three, sometimes ten second chunks. Thefetched chunks of video are seamlessly stitched together dynamically inthe application software of the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) and thendisplayed so as to appear as a smooth video on the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a).

A Multiple System/Service Operator (MSO—a cable TV organization thatowns more than one cable system and may prove broadband Internetservice) may wish to rebroadcast video streams on delivery platforms.Unfortunately, every connected device, including delivery platforms,needs to obtain video in the format that it can consume. Apple,Microsoft, Adobe, etc., have very specific and incompatible formats. Toovercome this problem, each of these companies has constructedfacilities called content delivery networks (CDN) 208 where a “set topbox” for each channel is configured to receive broadcasts fromsatellites.

A signal stream received by a “set top box” from the origin server 204is fed to an encoder 210 to transform the signal stream to a transportsignal stream of one or more bit rates and/or formats and a packager 212to fragment the transport signal stream into the predetermined (e.g., 2second) segments of data. The encoder 210 may convert the signal streamto one or more of a plurality of formats (e.g., H264, MPEG2, MPEG4,etc.) and resolutions (e.g., standard definition at 640p, or highdefinition at, for example 720p, 1080i, 1080p, etc.). A distincttransport signal stream may be provided to the packager 212 in each ofthe plurality of formats and resolutions. The packager 212 may dividethe transport signal streams into segments representing intervals oftime or “chunks” of video, audio, etc. (e.g., between 2 and about 10second intervals) according to a standard format associated with aspecific vendor (e.g., Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, etc.). These segmentsare then stored at the CDN 208 on server farms located physically closeto where the content is to be delivered.

To identify a particular channel data stream or “session”, includingtimes when a program has ended and before the next program begins, i.e.,a placement opportunity, a cue-tone is inserted in the channel datastream a predetermined time before the next program begins. The cue-tonemay be an instance of an SCTE-35 packet.

An observer 213, which may be the encoder 210, informs placementopportunity information service (POIS) 214 of the arrival of the cuetone for subsequent placement of one or more advertisements into thechannel data stream by an advertisement service (ADS) (e.g., 218 a). Ifthe ADS (e.g., 218 a) is known to the POIS 214, then the POIS 214notifies the ADS (e.g., 218 a) of the cue tone notification. Theadvertisement placement service (e.g., 218 a), in turn, is waiting forthe subsequent arrival of requests from a CDN 208 to placeadvertisements into breaks (i.e. one or more of the segments) in thechannel data stream (session).

The ADSs 218 a-218 n may be configured to place advertisements intoadvertisement breaks in subscriber data streams at the request of acontent delivery network (CDN) 208 for delivery to one or more deliveryplatforms 206 a-206 n.

The server 202 may be associated with or implement a CIS 216 forreceiving one or more source signal streams (channels) originating fromthe origin server 204 and corresponding cue-tones (i.e., instances ofSCTE-35 packets) from the observer 220, which may be incorporated withinan encoder 210. The CIS 216 may also be configured to identify metadatafrom the one or more source signal streams received from the encoder 210and to deliver the identified metadata to the server 202. The receivedmetadata may identify each of a plurality of formats (e.g., H264, MPEG2,MPEG4, etc.) and resolutions (e.g., standard definition at 640p, or highdefinition at, for example 720p, 1080i, 1080p, etc., that includes aframe rate of the transport signal stream) for each of the one or moretransport signal streams output by the encoder 210 and corresponding toa respective source signal stream (channel). As described above, theencoder 210 may be configured to feed each of the transport signalstreams to the packager 212. The packager 212 may be configured tofurther format the one or more transport signal streams and divide thestreams into segments representing intervals of time or “chunks” of IPvideo, audio, etc., (e.g., between 2 and about 10 second intervals)according to a standard format associated with a specific vendor (e.g.,Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, etc.). The packager 212 may be configured todeliver IP video, audio, etc., in predetermined “chunks” to the CDN 208as described above. The server 202 may be configured to extract metadatafrom the packager 212 that a length in terms of time of a segment orchunk size.

The server 202 may be configured to pre-allocate a corresponding numberof unconfirmed placement opportunities (POs) without signals and to bindthe source signal stream to a plurality of premade, but unconfirmedplacement opportunities. Part of the identified metadata includes achannel identifier associated with a corresponding source signal stream.The CIS 216 may be configured to return a globally unique value, a UUID,referred to as a signal identifier or signal ID that uniquely identifiesa placement opportunity as a confirmed placement and its startinglocation within the end-to-end operational system 200. The CIS 216 maybe further configured to insert the signal ID and the channel identifierinto the metadata of the source signal stream using the appropriatein-band carriage format.

In one example, a POIS 214 may be implemented by the server 202. ThePOIS 214 may be configured to “confirm” unconfirmed placementopportunities by identifying temporal starting and ending locations (andthus a beginning and end point in terms of time) of the unconfirmedplacement opportunities (e.g., including advertisement signal point(s))relative to both the content stream and a wall clock.

In one embodiment, the POIS 214 may be configured to initiate a workflowin an instance of an SCTE 130 Advertisement Management Service 220, orADM 220, associated with the server 202 to identify a listrepresentative of a number of transport streams (e.g., a number ofsessions) having the channel identifier. To identify the list, the ADM220 places a call each to an external session manager 222. The ADM 220transmits the channel identifier to the session manager 222, whichprovides the ADM 220 with a list of client identities indicative of anumber of recipients currently viewing a channel corresponding to thechannel identifier. The ADM 220 may be configured to obtain a pluralityof advertisements corresponding to the list correlated to the channelidentifier from one or more of the ADSs 218 a-218 n. The ADM 220receives from the ADSs 218 a-218 n the plurality of advertisementstargeted to the list representative of the plurality of transportstreams (sessions).

The ADM 220 uses the unique signal ID plus a set of locally configuredor learned targeting criteria to initiate a unique set of advertisementdecision requests. The advertisement decision requests evolve intotargeted advertisement decision requests to the appropriate decisionowners (i.e., the ADSs 218 a-218 n) and the results are a set ofadvertisement placement decisions correlating to the placementopportunities generated as a result of signal confirmation.

A trick mode controller 224 of the server 202 may be configured toreceive metadata associated with specific content in a transport signalstream from the content information service (CIS) 216. The trick modecontroller 224 may be further configured to instruct the encoder 210 toinsert a marker into a transport signal stream provided by the CIS 216based on received metadata (e.g., the type of trick mode, the trick modestate (e.g., enabled or disabled), the trick mode duration, thetransport signal stream frame rate and resolution, etc.). The marker mayindicate control of a trick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) subsequent to a specified point in time of the transportsignal stream (e.g., ad creative content, entertainment content, or bothad creative content and entertainment content, both provided by the POIS214).

The specific content may be ad creative content, entertainment content,or both ad creative content and entertainment content.

The marker may comprise an ID3 tag. The ID3 tag may comprise a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content andthe one or more trick mode settings. The unique identifier may be is auniversal unique identifier (UUID). In an example, trick mode controller224 may be configured to insert the ID3 tag into a data track or afundamental track of the transport signal stream.

In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may be configured toinstruct the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to enforce the one or moretrick mode settings associated with the marker at the point in time ofthe transport signal stream. In another example, the marker may compriseinstructions to enforce one or more trick mode settings in the deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a) at the point in time of the transport signalstream.

In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may be configured toreceive from the ADS (e.g., 218 a) or the placement opportunityinformation service 214, trick mode restriction metadata regarding oneor more trick mode settings corresponding to the trick mode to beenforced by a delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) subsequent to the point intime of the transport signal stream for the specific content. The one ormore trick mode settings may comprise information regarding at least oneof enabling or disabling the trick mode, the type of trick mode, timepoint offsets, content duration, or the duration of time that the trickmode is to be enabled or disabled. In an example, the trick moderestriction metadata may comprise a universally unique identifier (UUID)associated with the marker, and one or more uniform resource locatorsassociated with the marker.

In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may be configured toassociate the trick mode restriction metadata information with themarker. The trick mode controller 224 may be configured to store theassociated trick mode restriction metadata information in the data store(e.g., the database 226).

In an example, the marker may be operable to instruct the deliveryplatform to send a request to the trick mode controller 224 for one ormore instructions to enforce one or more trick mode settings associatedwith the marker. In an example, the trick mode controller 224 mayreceive from the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) a request for one ormore instructions to enforce one or more trick mode settings associatedwith the marker. The trick mode controller 224 may be configured toprovide to the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) the one or moreinstructions to enforce the one or more trick mode settings associatedwith the marker. In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may beconfigured to receive from the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) anindication that the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) has encountered themarker at the point in time of the transport signal stream. In oneexample, the indication may comprise the marker. The trick modecontroller 224 may be configured to retrieve from the data store (e.g.,the database 226), the one or more trick mode settings associated withthe marker. The trick mode controller 224 may be configured to transmitto the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a), the one or more trick modesettings associated with the marker.

In an example, the indication may comprise a universal resource locator(URL). In an example, the URL may comprise at least one of a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content,one or more trick mode control settings, or an endpoint location for thedelivery platform to make a network request in order to receive trickmode instructions.

The trick mode controller 224 may receive from the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) an indication that the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) isenforcing the one or more trick mode settings associated with themarker.

The trick mode controller 224 may receive from the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) an indication an indication that a consumer used anenabled trick mode or tried to use a disabled trick mode subsequent tothe point in time of the transport signal stream.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 illustrating the use of an ID3 tag asmetadata to be incorporated into corresponding data tracks 304 a-304 nof a transport signal stream 302 for providing markers for indicatingtrick mode control settings to be enforced by the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) corresponding to each of the segments 306 a-306 n (e.g., 2second “chunks”) in a session. The transport signal stream 302 maycomprise segments (e.g., 306 a, 306 b) corresponding to content andsegments (e.g., 306 c-306 n) corresponding to an advertisement in thesession. Each of the ID3 tags 308 a-308 n may comprise a uniqueidentifier (e.g., UUID I, UUID2, UUIDn). In one example, the informationprovided in the ID3 tag (e.g. 308 a) may be configured to indicate tothe delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) what trick mode to enforce and howto enforce the trick mode (e.g. enable or disable). In another example,the information provided in the ID3 tag (e.g. 308 a) may be configuredto indicate to the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to call out to thetrick mode controller 224 for obtaining instructions for what trick modeto enforce and how to enforce the trick mode (e.g., enable or disable).

For example, ID3 tag 308 a may be operable to cause the deliveryplatform to disable the fast forwarding trick mode control. ID3 tag 308b may indicate to the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to continue todisable fast forwarding but enable rewinding. ID3 tag 308 a may indicateto the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to enable all trick mode controltypes. It should It should be noted that the insertion of ID3 tagsindicating enabling or disabling of one or more trick mode controls isnot limited to sections of advertisement content, but may apply toportions of entertainment content or both advertisement content andentertainment content. It should also be noted that ID3 tags indicatinga specific enabling or disabling of one or more trick mode settings maybe, but is not limited to, insertion into at least one, but is notlimited to one or more of the segments 306 a-306 n.

In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may be further configuredto report the one or more trick mode control settings enforced by thedelivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to at least one tracking element (e.g.,230 a). In an example, the information provided in the indication to betransmitted from the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) to the trick modecontroller 224 may take the form of a string, e.g.,“#URL://router/UUID/device identifier or MAC address/time code” where“router” is an IPV4 or IPV6 address of the router 202, UUID may be theUUID of the ID3 tag inserted by the trick mode controller 224 andreceived by the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a), “device identifier orMAC identifier” is an identity associated with a particular deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a), such as a serial number of the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) or the MAC address (i.e., the media access controladdress) of the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a) that effectivelyidentifies a session of a channel played by the delivery platform (e.g.,206 a), and “time code” refers to a wall clock time or time stamp thatmay be, for example, synchronized broadcast time (e.g., wall clock timedelayed by seven seconds).

A tracking element (e.g., 228 a) may be associated with a local ornational programmer or network (e.g., 228 a, 228 b), an MSO (e.g., 228c), a local or national advertiser (e.g., 228 d, 228 e), a third partyverification system (228 n), or one or more of the ADSs (e.g., 218 a-218n). The database 226 may comprise tables that include UUIDs, one or morecorresponding trick mode controls, the device address or MAC address,and the time code. The trick mode controller 224 may be configured toretrieve from the data store (e.g., the database 226) the incoming datareceived by the trick mode controller 224 from the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) to a corresponding ID3 tag inserted into the transportsignal stream. The mapped information for reporting to a trackingelement (e.g., 228 a) may be the name of a tracking element associatedwith the received session, the session, the one or more trick modesettings enforced by the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a), the adaptivebit rate or resolution of the transport signal stream, and an associatedtime code.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method 400 forpermitting streaming television service providers to enable or disabletrick modes in delivery platforms (e.g., (e.g., 206 a-206 n). The method400 may be performed by a computer system 400 of FIG. 2 and may comprisehardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic,microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions run on a processingdevice), or a combination thereof. In one example, the method 400 may beperformed by the trick mode controller 224 of the server 202 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, at block 405, the trick mode controller 224 of theserver 202 may receive metadata associated with specific content in atransport signal stream from the content information service (CIS) 216.At block 410, the trick mode controller 224 may instruct the encoder 210to insert a marker into a transport signal stream provided by the CIS216 based on received metadata (e.g., the type of trick mode, the trickmode state (e.g., enabled or disabled), the trick mode duration, thetransport signal stream frame rate and resolution, etc.). The marker mayindicate control of a trick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) subsequent to a specified point in time of the transportsignal stream (e.g., ad creative content, entertainment content, or bothad creative content and entertainment content, both provided by the POIS214).

The specific content may be ad creative content, entertainment content,or both ad creative content and entertainment content.

The marker may comprise an ID3 tag. The ID3 tag may comprise a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content andthe one or more trick mode settings. The unique identifier may be is auniversal unique identifier (UUID). In an example, trick mode controller224 may insert the ID3 tag into a data track or a fundamental track ofthe transport signal stream.

In an example, the trick mode controller 224 may instruct the deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a) to enforce the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker at the point in time of the transport signalstream. In another example, the marker may comprise instructions toenforce one or more trick mode settings in the delivery platform (e.g.,206 a) at the point in time of the transport signal stream.

At block 415, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from the ADS(e.g., 218 a) or the placement opportunity information service 214,trick mode restriction metadata regarding one or more trick modesettings corresponding to the trick mode to be enforced by a deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a) subsequent to the point in time of the transportsignal stream for the specific content. The one or more trick modesettings may comprise information regarding at least one of enabling ordisabling the trick mode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets,content duration, or the duration of time that the trick mode is to beenabled or disabled. In an example, the trick mode restriction metadatamay comprise a universally unique identifier (UUID) associated with themarker, and one or more uniform resource locators associated with themarker.

At block 420, the trick mode controller 224 may associate the trick moderestriction metadata information with the marker. At block 425, thetrick mode controller 224 may store the associated trick moderestriction metadata information in the data store (e.g., the database226).

At block 430, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from thedelivery platform (e.g., 206 a) an indication that the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) has encountered the marker at the point in time of thetransport signal stream. In one example, the indication may comprise themarker. At block 435, the trick mode controller 224 may retrieve fromthe data store (e.g., the database 226), the one or more trick modesettings associated with the marker. At block 440, the trick modecontroller 224 may transmit to the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a), theone or more trick mode settings associated with the marker to beenforced by the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a).

In an example, the indication may comprise a universal resource locator(URL). In an example, the URL may comprise at least one of a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content,one or more trick mode control settings, or an endpoint location for thedelivery platform to make a network request m order to receive trickmode instructions.

At block 445, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from thedelivery platform (e.g., 206 a) an indication that the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) is enforcing the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.

The trick mode controller 224 may receive from the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) an indication an indication that a consumer used anenabled trick mode or tried to use a disabled trick mode subsequent tothe point in time of the transport signal stream.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another example of a method 500for permitting streaming television service providers to enable ordisable trick modes in delivery platforms (e.g., (e.g., 206 a-206 n).The method 500 may be performed by a computer system 500 of FIG. 2 andmay comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmablelogic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions run on aprocessing device), or a combination thereof. In one example, the method500 may be performed by the trick mode controller 224 of the server 202of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, at block 505, the trick mode controller 224 of theserver 202 may receive metadata associated with specific content in atransport signal stream from the content information service (CIS) 216.At block 510, the trick mode controller 224 may instruct the encoder 210to insert a marker into a transport signal stream provided by the CIS216 based on received metadata (e.g., the type of trick mode, the trickmode state (e.g., enabled or disabled), the trick mode duration, thetransport signal stream frame rate and resolution, etc.).

The specific content may be ad creative content, entertainment content,or both ad creative content and entertainment content.

The marker may comprise an ID3 tag. The ID3 tag may comprise a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content andthe one or more trick mode settings. The unique identifier may be is auniversal unique identifier (UUID). In an example, trick mode controller224 may insert the ID3 tag into a data track or a fundamental track ofthe transport signal stream.

At block 515, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from the ADS(e.g., 218 a) or the placement opportunity information service 214,trick mode restriction metadata regarding one or more trick modesettings corresponding to the trick mode to be enforced by a deliveryplatform (e.g., 206 a) subsequent to the point in time of the transportsignal stream for the specific content. The one or more trick modesettings may comprise information regarding at least one of enabling ordisabling the trick mode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets,content duration, or the duration of time that the trick mode is to beenabled or disabled. In an example, the trick mode restriction metadatamay comprise a universally unique identifier (UUID) associated with themarker, and one or more uniform resource locators associated with themarker.

At block 520, the trick mode controller 224 may associate the trick moderestriction metadata information with the marker. At block 525, thetrick mode controller 224 may store the associated trick moderestriction metadata information in the data store (e.g., the data base226).

At block 530, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from thedelivery platform (e.g., 206 a) an indication that the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) has encountered the marker at the point in time of thetransport signal stream. In one example, the indication may comprise themarker. At block 535, the trick mode controller 224 may receive arequest from the trick mode controller 224 for one or more instructionsto enforce one or more trick mode settings associated with the marker.

At block 540, the trick mode controller 224 may retrieve from the datastore (e.g., the database 226), the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker. At block 545, the trick mode controller 224may transmit to the delivery platform (e.g., 206 a), the one or moreinstructions for enforcing the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.

In an example, the indication may comprise a universal resource locator(URL). In an example, the URL may comprise at least one of a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content,one or more trick mode control settings, or an endpoint location for thedelivery platform to make a network request in order to receive trickmode instructions.

At block 550, the trick mode controller 224 may receive from thedelivery platform (e.g., 206 a) an indication that the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) is enforcing the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.

The trick mode controller 224 may receive from the delivery platform(e.g., 206 a) an indication an indication that a consumer used anenabled trick mode or tried to use a disabled trick mode subsequent tothe point in time of the transport signal stream.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagrammatic representation of a machine in theexample form of a computer system 600 within which a set ofinstructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In some examples, themachine may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines in a LAN,an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. The machine may operate inthe capacity of a server machine in client-server network environment.The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a set-top box (STB), aserver, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a singlemachine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more ofthe methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 600 includes a processing device (processor)602, a main memory 604 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)), astatic memory 606 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory(SRAM)), and a data storage device 616, which communicate with eachother via a bus 608.

Processor 602 represents one or more general-purpose processing devicessuch as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. Moreparticularly, the processor 602 may be a complex instruction setcomputing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing(RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor,or a processor implementing other instruction sets or processorsimplementing a combination of instruction sets. The processor 602 mayalso be one or more special-purpose processing devices such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor,or the like. The trick mode controller 224 shown in FIG. 2 may beexecuted by processor 602 configured to perform the operations and stepsdiscussed herein.

The computer system 600 may further include a network interface device622. The computer system 600 also may include a video display unit 610(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), analphanumeric input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), and a signal generation device 620 (e.g., aspeaker).

A drive unit 616 may include a computer-readable medium 624 on which isstored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., instructions of the trickmode controller 224) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. The instructions of the trick modecontroller 224 may also reside, completely or at least partially, withinthe main memory 604 and/or within the processor 602 during executionthereof by the computer system 600, the main memory 604 and theprocessor 602 also constituting computer-readable media. Theinstructions of the trick mode controller 224 may further be transmittedor received over a network via the network interface device 622.

While the computer-readable storage medium 624 is shown in an example tobe a single medium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” shouldbe taken to include a single non-transitory medium or multiplenon-transitory media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall also betaken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding orcarrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of thepresent disclosure. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shallaccordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-statememories, optical media, and magnetic media.

In the above description, numerous details are set forth. It isapparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure, that examples of the disclosure may bepracticed without these specific details. In some instances, well-knownstructures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than indetail, in order to avoid obscuring the description.

Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desiredresult. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, itis appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “receiving”, “writing”, “maintaining”, or the like, referto the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer system'sregisters and memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

Examples of the disclosure also relate to an apparatus for performingthe operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed forthe required purposes, or it may comprise a general purpose computerselectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored inthe computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computerreadable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of diskincluding floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-opticaldisks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs,EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specializedapparatus to perform the required method steps. Example structure for avariety of these systems appears from the description herein. Inaddition, the present disclosure is not described with reference to anyparticular programming language. It will be appreciated that a varietyof programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of thedisclosure as described herein.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other examples will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the abovedescription. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. A computing device comprising a processor and amemory, the computing device further comprising a trick mode controllerconfigured to: receive metadata associated with specific content in atransport signal stream from a content information service, the metadataidentifying a point in time of the transport signal stream; and instructan encoder to insert a marker into the transport signal streamcorresponding to the point in time of the transport signal stream, themarker indicating control of a trick mode to be enforced by a deliveryplatform subsequent to the point in time of the transport signal streamduring play by the delivery platform of the transport signal stream, thetransport signal stream having a frame rate and resolution.
 2. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises instructionsto enforce one or more trick mode settings in the delivery platform. 3.The computing device of claim 2, wherein the instructions compriseinformation regarding at least one of enabling or disabling the trickmode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets, content duration, orthe duration of time that the trick mode is to be enabled or disabled.4. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the trick mode controller isfurther configured to: receive, from the delivery platform, anindication that the delivery platform has encountered the marker at thepoint in time of the transport signal stream.
 5. The computing device ofclaim 4, wherein the indication comprises the marker.
 6. The computingdevice of claim 1, wherein the marker is operable to instruct thedelivery platform to send a request for one or more instructions toenforce one or more trick mode settings associated with the marker. 7.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the trick more controller isfurther configured to: receive, from the delivery platform, a requestfor one or more instructions to enforce one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.
 8. The computing device of claim 7, whereinthe trick mode controller is further configured to: provide, to thedelivery platform, the one or more instructions to enforce the one ormore trick mode settings associated with the marker.
 9. The computingdevice of claim 1, wherein the trick mode controller is furtherconfigured to receive, from an advertisement decision service or aplacement opportunity information service, trick mode restrictionmetadata regarding one or more trick mode settings corresponding to thetrick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform subsequent to the pointin time of the transport signal stream for the specific content.
 10. Thecomputing device of claim 9, wherein the one or more trick mode settingscomprises information regarding at least one of enabling or disablingthe trick mode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets, contentduration, or the duration of time that the trick mode is to be enabledor disabled.
 11. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the trick moderestriction metadata comprises a universally unique identifier (UUID)associated with the marker, and one or more uniform resource locatorsassociated with the marker.
 12. The computing device of claim 9, whereinthe trick mode controller is further configured to: record the marker ina data store; associate the one or more trick mode settings with themarker; and store the associated one or more trick mode settings in thedata store.
 13. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the trick modecontroller is further configured to receive, from the delivery platform,an indication that the delivery platform has encountered the marker. 14.The computing device of claim 13, wherein the trick mode controller isfurther configured to: retrieve, from a data store, one or more trickmode settings associated with the marker.
 15. The computing device ofclaim 14, wherein the trick mode controller is further configured to:transmit, to the delivery platform, the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.
 16. The computing device of claim 13,wherein the indication comprises a universal resource locator (URL). 17.The computing device of claim 16, wherein the URL comprises at least oneof a unique identifier indicative of the identified point in time of thecontent, one or more trick mode control settings, or an endpointlocation for the delivery platform to make a network request in order toreceive trick mode instructions.
 18. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the trick mode controller is further configured to receive, fromthe data platform, an indication that a consumer used an enabled trickmode or tried to use a disabled trick mode subsequent to the point ofthe transport signal stream.
 19. The computing device of claim 1,wherein the specific content is ad creative content, entertainmentcontent, or both ad creative content and entertainment content.
 20. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises an ID3 tag.21. The computing device of claim 20, wherein the ID3 tag comprises aunique identifier indicative of the identified point in time of thecontent and the one or more trick mode settings.
 22. The computingdevice of claim 21, wherein the unique identifier is a universal uniqueidentifier (UUID).
 23. The computing device of claim 20, wherein thetrick mode controller is further configured to insert the ID3 tag into adata track or a fundamental track of the transport signal stream. 24.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the trick mode controller isfurther configured to instruct the encoder to insert the marker into oneor more specified frames of the transport signal stream on a per frame,per segment, per sub-segment, or per plurality of segments basis. 25.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the trick mode controller isfurther configured to instruct the encoder to insert different markersinto corresponding frames in the transport signal stream correspondingto different points in time of the transport signal stream.
 26. Acomputing device comprising a processor and a memory, the memorycomprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, cause a trick mode controller associated with the computingdevice to: receive metadata associated with specific content in atransport signal stream, the metadata identifying a point in time of thetransport signal stream; and instruct an encoder to insert a marker intothe transport signal stream corresponding to the point in time of thetransport signal stream, the marker indicating control of a trick modeto be enforced subsequent to the point in time of the transport signalstream during play by the delivery platform of the transport signalstream, the transport signal stream having a frame rate and resolution.27. The computing device of claim 26, wherein the trick mode controlleris further configured to: receive trick mode restriction metadataregarding one or more trick mode settings corresponding to the trickmode to be enforced subsequent to the point in time of the transportsignal stream for the specific content.
 28. A computing devicecomprising a processor and a memory, the computing device beingconfigured to: receive metadata associated with specific content in atransport signal stream, the metadata identifying a point in thetransport signal stream; and instruct an encoder to insert a marker intothe transport signal stream corresponding to the point in the transportsignal stream, the marker indicating control of a trick mode to beenforced relative to the point in the transport signal stream duringplay by the delivery platform of the transport signal stream, thetransport signal stream having a frame rate and resolution.
 29. Thecomputing device of claim 28, further configured to: receive trick moderestriction metadata regarding one or more trick mode settingscorresponding to the trick mode to be enforced subsequent to the pointin the transport signal stream for the specific content.
 30. Thecomputing device of claim 26, further configured to record the marker ina data store.
 31. A method implemented in a delivery platform of acomputing device, comprising: receiving a transport signal stream to beplayed by the delivery platform; detecting a marker inserted in thetransport signal stream at a point in time of the transport signalstream, the marker indicating control of a trick mode to be enforced bythe delivery platform subsequent to the point in time of the transportsignal stream during play by the delivery platform of the transportsignal stream, the transport signal stream having a frame rate andresolution; and enforcing control of the trick mode in accordance withone or more instructions associated with the marker during play by thedelivery platform of the transport signal stream.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, the marker having been inserted into the transport signalstream by an encoder in response to received metadata associated withspecific content in the transport signal stream, the metadataidentifying the point in time of the transport signal stream to insertthe marker.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker comprises theinstructions to enforce one or more trick mode settings in the deliveryplatform.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the instructions compriseinformation regarding at least one of enabling or disabling the trickmode, the type of trick mode, time point offsets, content duration, orthe duration of time that the trick mode is to be enabled or disabled.35. The method of claim 31, further comprising sending to a trick modecontroller an indication that the delivery platform has encountered themarker at the point in time of the transport signal stream.
 36. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the indication comprises the marker.
 37. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the indication comprises a universalresource locator (URL).
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the URLcomprises at least one of a unique identifier indicative of theidentified point in time of the content, one or more trick mode controlsettings, or an endpoint location for the delivery platform to make anetwork request in order to receive trick mode instructions.
 39. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the marker is operable to instruct thedelivery platform to send a request to a trick mode controller for theone or more instructions to enforce one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.
 40. The method of claim 39, furthercomprising sending to the trick mode controller the request for the oneor more instructions to enforce the one or more trick mode settingsassociated with the marker.
 41. The method of claim 40, furthercomprising receiving, from the trick mode controller, the one or moreinstructions to enforce the one or more trick mode settings associatedwith the marker.
 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising sendingto the trick mode controller an indication that the delivery platform isenforcing the one or more trick mode settings associated with themarker.
 43. The method of claim 31, wherein the marker comprises an ID3tag.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the ID3 tag comprises a uniqueidentifier indicative of the identified point in time of the content andthe one or more trick mode settings.
 45. The method of claim 44, whereinthe unique identifier is a universal unique identifier (UUID).
 46. Themethod of claim 43, further comprising inserting the ID3 tag into a datatrack or a fundamental track of the transport signal stream.